Machine for easing the levers of type-writers



(No Model.)

V. H. ERNST.

MAOHINE FOR EASING THE LEVERS OF TYPE WRITERS. No. 335,118. Patented Feb. 2, 1886. 17,259. i. EL .j. X y

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WNITED STATES PATENT @rtrca.

VICTOR H. ERNST, OF JERSEY CITY, NE\V JERSEY.

MACHINE FOR EASING THE LEVERS OF TYPE-WRITERS.

ESZ ECIIPICATION forming part of Letters Patent. No. 335,118, dated February 2, 1886.

Applicaion filed October 14, 1885. Serial No. 179.879. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Vro'roa H. ERNST, of Jersey City, in the county of Hudson and State of New Jersey, have invented a new and improved machine for easing the levers of typewriters preparatory to their being placed in the typewriter, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

In the operation of writing-machines wherein the types strike a common central point on the ribbon it is of the utmost importance that the type-carrying levers have an easy and free movement in their hangers, for should they be allowed to become loosened they will joggle from one side of their hangers to the other, and as a result the printing of the type will be uneven. Ordinarily when the type-levers are set in the writing-machines they have to be worked till the friction at the pivotingpoint eases the levers on their hangers sufficiently to allow the desired freedom of movement on their pivots, which takes considerable time. If this is not done, the natural friction at this point when the writing-machine is being operated, which is very great in new machines, will necessitate a continual easement of the type levers on their pivots. To avoid the necessity of this easement of the levers after having been fitted in the writing-machine, I have contrived the present invention, which is known as a jigglingmachine. It consists, essentially, of a series of clampinghcads or equivalent devices so arranged on a common base that a rapid reciprocating motion may be imparted to them. Into these clampingheads the hangers carrying the type-levers are placed, and by the rocking motion a friction is produced between the type-levers and the jaws of their hangers, wearing them uni? formly, and thus effecting the desired easement, which they retain permanently. As herein explained, this has prior to this invention been done by the continued operation of the writing-machine.

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings, forming part of this application, in which similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the figures.

Figure 1 is an end elevation of my invention with the type-levers in position in the clamping devices. Fig. 2 is a front elevation of the machine. Fig. 3 is a plan view of a section of the machine. Fig. 4 is an end view of the shaft to which is eccentrically attached the connecting-rods that impart a vertical movement to the upper cross-bar carrying the clamp ing devices. Fig. 5 is a section of the same on the line .1. m.

A A indicate the standardsof the machine, which are provided with bases B B.

O is a cross-bar, which is connected to the sliding blocks or plates D, that are fitted in dovetail or other grooves in the projecting heads A of the standards A A.

The sliding blocks or platesD are connected by means of the connecting-rods E to the shaft F, which has its hearings in the rearwardlyprojecting lugs A of the standards A A.

Upon one or both ends of the shaft F is securely fitted a headed sleeve, H, in a groove in the head of which is fitted an adjustable block, I, to which the connecting-rods E are eccentrically attached as, for instance, at i,

Figs. 4 and 5.

It will be readily seen that the play of the connectingrods E, and consequently the movement of the sliding blocks D and bar G, is controlled by means of the block I, which can be moved to bring the point of attachment of the connecting-rods E nearer to or farther from the center of the headed sleeve H. The block I is securely held in a given position by the binding-screws t, or equivalent means.

Motion is imparted to the shaft F by a belt from any convenient motive power by means of pulleys G, of the ordinary or any approved construction.

Although I have shown in the drawings the actuating devices arranged in duplicatethat is, on both ends of the machine-it will be understood that the latter can be used to advantage with these devices arrauged on one side only.

The cross-bar G is provided with a series of clamping-heads, 0, each of which is capable of carrying two type-levers, L. The clamping-plate c of each of these clamp-heads is provided with a spring, 0, which serves to keep the clamp-plate raised for the ready insertion of the type-lever hangers J, and with a binding-screw, c", for firmly holding the said type-lever hangers in the clamp-heads.

c are clearance-grooves for the jointed ends of the type-levers.

A stationary cross-bar, K, is provided below and partly or entirely out of the vertical plane of the crossbar O, and provided with clamping-heads 70, similar in construction and in number to those on the latter, and in these clamping-heads k the several connecting or operating rods L of the several type-levers L are rigidly held. Although only four of these clamping-heads are shown on each cross-bar, in practice the machines are constructed with forty, (more orless,) thus allowing eighty (more or less) type-levers to be operated upon at one and the same time.

To support the type-levers in line while being inserted in and removed from the clamping-heads, I have provided the bar M, the swinging arms N of which are pivotally connected to the arms 0, the latter being attached to the standards A A of the machine. By reason of the arms N being slotted at their outer ends the bar M can be brought nearer to or farther from the ends of the said arms N, should it be found desirable at any time. When all the typelevers are in place in the u clamping-heads, the bar M is swung down. as

shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1, and in full lines in Fig. 2, and may be again raised when the type-levers are to be replaced by another lot. When the shaft F is rotated, the connecting-rods E thereon cause the blocks D to slide up and down in their bearings, and being connected-to the crossbar O the latter is given a rapid vertical reciprocating movement. The operating-rods L of the type-levers L being held rigidly in the clamping-heads 7c of the cross-bar K, the movement of the crossbar 0 causes a rapid swinging of the type-levers on their pivots. After being thus operated upon by the machine the desired freedom of movement is given them, and thus the desired easement that has heretofore taken considerable time is obtained very readily, and a saving of time effected.

The special mechanism herein described is the preferred mode of carrying out my invention; but I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself to the particular means shown and described, for it isevident that a variety of means may be provided for actuating the bar carrying the type-levers, and for holding the latter while being operated upon.

Having thus fully described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent-- for the purpose set forth, and means, substantially as described, for actuating the reciprocating bar, as and for the purpose specified.

3. In a machine of the character described, the combination, with the standard A, of a cross-bar, 0, having arranged thereon a series of holding or clamping devices, 0, for holding the type-levers L, arigid cross-bar, K, having clamping devices It, for rigidly holding the operating or connecting rods L of the typelevers, and means for imparting a rapid reciprocating motion to the bar 0, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

4. The combination, with the standards, of a reciprocating cross bar, a sliding block or plate connected thereto, and a connecting-rod connected to the sliding block and to the operating-shaft, substantially as described.

5. The combination, with the reciprocating bar. of clam ping-heads mounted thereon, each provided with means for holding the clampplates raised for the ready insertion of the type-lever hangers, substantially as described.

6. The combination, with the standards,

formed near their tops with grooved heads or shoulders, of the clamp-carrying cross-bar C,

the sliding blocks D, the connecting-rods E, shaft and pulleys F G, and the cross-bar K, substantially as described.

7. The combination, with the operatingshaft, of headed sleeve H, carrying adjustable block I, substantially as described.

8. In a machine of the character described, the combination, with the standards A and reciprocating bar 0, carrying clamps or hol ers, of the swinging frameconsisting of arms N and bar M, substantially as and for the par pose specified.

VICTOR H. ERNST.

Witnesses:

M. DI'ITENHOEFER, E. VAN DRUFF. 

